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R-27 vs R550 Magic

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Specifications
R-27 R550 Magic
Origin 🇷🇺 Russia🇷🇺 Ex-USSR 🇫🇷 France
Category Air-to-Air Air-to-Air
Type Semi-active radar-guided air-to-air missile Infrared-guided air-to-air missile
Manufacturer Vympel Matra
Service year 1983 1986
Number produced -- units 11,300 units
Estimated unit price NA $0.1 million
Range 80.0 km 12.0 km
Maximum speed Mach 4.5 Mach 3.0
Weight 253 kg 89 kg
Warhead 39.0 kg 12.5 kg
Length 4.08 m 2.75 m
Diameter 230 mm 160 mm
Guidance Semi-active radar homing Infrared homing
Warhead type High Explosive High Explosive
Scale Comparison
R-27 4.08 m R550 MAGIC 2.75 m 1.75 m
Performance Radar Chart

Overview

The R-27 and the R550 Magic are both Air-to-Air missiles.

The R-27 has a range of 80 km — 6.7x the R550 Magic's 12 km. The R-27 reaches 5,556 km/h vs 3,704 km/h for the R550 Magic. The R-27 carries a 39 kg warhead vs 12.5 kg for the R550 Magic. Launch weight is 253 kg for the R-27 vs 89 kg for the R550 Magic. The R-27 uses Semi-active radar homing guidance, while the R550 Magic relies on Infrared homing.

The R-27 entered service 3 years before the R550 Magic (1983 vs 1986).

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which has longer range, the R-27 or R550 Magic?
The R-27 has a longer range at 80 km compared to the R550 Magic's 12 km.
Which is faster, the R-27 or R550 Magic?
The R-27 is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 4.5 compared to the R550 Magic's Mach 3.0.
Which has a larger warhead, the R-27 or R550 Magic?
The R-27 carries a larger warhead at 39 kg compared to the R550 Magic's 12 kg.
Which is heavier, the R-27 or R550 Magic?
The R-27 is heavier at 253 kg compared to the R550 Magic's 89 kg.
Which is longer, the R-27 or R550 Magic?
The R-27 is longer at 4.08 meters compared to the R550 Magic's 2.75 meters.
What guidance systems do the R-27 and R550 Magic use?
The R-27 uses Semi-active radar homing guidance while the R550 Magic uses Infrared homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the R-27 or R550 Magic?
The R-27 entered service first in 1983, 3 years before the R550 Magic which entered service in 1986.